Sphere pre-empts Hooton's debut crime novel The Margaret Code

Sphere has scooped The Margaret Code, a crime debut by Richard Hooton about an elderly woman and a murder investigation on her street.

Editorial director Rosanna Forte acquired world rights from Sam Copeland at RCW in a pre-empt. Sphere will publish the book as a major launch in spring 2025. German rights were subsequently acquired in a significant pre-empt by DTV within 48 hours of submission.

The book tells the story of 89-year-old Margaret, who tries to solve the murder of her neighbour. The synopsis says: "She is convinced Barbara entrusted her with a secret before she died, a secret now buried in Margaret’s fading memory. With the help of her grandson, James, Margaret sets out to recover her memory and solve the murder. But soon strange things begin happening in her home. Her daughter is convinced Margaret’s illness is getting worse, but Margaret is sure somebody wants her out of the way."

Forte said: "Richard’s novel captured me from the first page. Margaret is the most compelling of narrators: witty, warm, perspicacious, and heartbreakingly vulnerable. Richard is a master at drawing complex and convincing relationships, and this, combined with a superbly twisty plot, makes for a crime novel unlike anything else I’ve read."

After a career in journalism, Hooton now works in communications, and this is his first novel, inspired by his relationship with his grandmother. He said: "I’m thrilled that The Margaret Code has found such brilliant homes at Sphere and DTV. It’s a dream come true to be represented by Sam and has been a real pleasure to work with Rosanna and the team at Sphere, their expertise, enthusiasm and support has been exceptional."